12alpha-halo-11, 21-bis-oxygenated-1, 4-pregnadiene-3, 20-diones



Hot-HALO-11,21-BIS-OXYGENATED-1,4- PREGNADlENE-3,20-DIONES Norman L. Wendler, Summit, and David Taub, Me-

tuchen, NJ., assignors to Merck & Co., Inc., Railway, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Filed Dec. 13, 1955, Ser. No. 552,730

Claims. (Cl. 260-69145) CHQOR Y if? d wherein R is hydrogen or an acyl radical, X is a halo radical, and Y is a hydroxy or keto radical.

The 12a halo A 3,20 diketo 11,21 bis oxygenated-pregnadiene compounds may be prepared by contacting the corresponding 12u-halo-A -3,20-diketol1,21-bis-oxygenated-pregnene compound with the dehydrogenating activity of Bacillus sphaericus microorganisms. The species Bacillus sphaericus as defined in Bergeys Manual for Determinative Bacteriology, 6th edition, comprises several varieties such as the rotans variety, the fusiformis variety, etc. and, in some collections, these varieties are referred to by the species names Bacillus rotans and Bacillus fusiformis. These Bacillus sphaericus microorganisms can be obtained from known sources such as the American Type Culture Collection, Washington, DC, or they may be isolated from natural sources, such as soil, by known methods.

The l2a-halo-A -3,ZO-diketo-l1,21-bis-oxygenated-pregnenes used as starting materials in this process are conveniently prepared from the known IZa-bromodehydrocorticosterone l2a-bromo-A -3,l1,20-triketo-2l-hydroxypregnene) as follows: Using the experimental conditions described in U.S.- Patent 2,628,966, the 12a-bromo-A 3,11,20-triketo-2l-hydroxy-pregnene is reacted with excess semicarbazide to form 12a-bromo-A -3,11,20-triketo- 2l-hydroxy-pregnene 3,20-bis-semicarbazone; this 3,20- bis-semicarbazone is reacted with lithium borohydride in tetrahydrofuran to form l2u-bromo-A -3,ZO-diketo-llfi, 2l-dihydroxy-pregnene 3,20-bis-semicarbazone; the latter compound is then reacted with a hydrolyzing agent to form l2a-bromo-A -3,20,-diketo-l1,8,2l-dihydroxy-pregnene This l2u-bromo-A -3,2O-diketo-11,8,21-dihydroxypregnene is converted to other lilac-halo derivatives by 2,973,375 Patented Feb. 28, 1961 reacting the l2a-bromo compound with a base to produce the corresponding A -3,20-diketo-11B,12,B-oxido-2l hydroxy-pregnene, reacting the latter compound with an acylating agent e.g., a lower alkanoic anhydride such as acetic anhydride, in the usual manner to form A -3,20- diketo-11B,1Zfi-oxido-Zl-acyloxy-pregnene, and reacting the latter compound with a hydrohalic acid, elg. hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc., to form the corresponding 12a halo A -3,20-diketo-1lB-hydroxy-Zl-acyloxy-pregnene as for example 12u-fluoro-A -3,20-diketol lB-hydroxy-Zl- (lower alkenoyloxy) -pregnene, l2afluoro-A -3,20-diketo-1lp-hydroxy-Zl-acetoxy-pregnene, 12afluoro A 3,20-diketo-11tt-hydroxy-Zl-acetoxy-pregnene,

12m fluoro A 3,20-diketo-11,B-hydroxy-Zl-propionoxypregnene, 12a fluoro-A -3,20-diketo-l l/8-hydroXy-21-benzoxy-pregnene, 12a-chloro-A -3,ZO-diketo-1lfi-hydroxy-Zl- (lower alkanoyloxy)-pregnene, l2oc-chlor0- A -3,20-diketo-llB-hydroxy-Zl-acetoxy-pregnene, and the like. Alternatively, the A -3,20-diketo-115,12B-0xido-21-hydroxypregnene may be reacted with a hydrohalic acid to form the corresponding l2a-halo-A -3,20-diketo-llB,2l-dihydroxy-pregnene, such as 12a-fluoro-A -3,20-diketo-11,8,21- dihydroxy-pregnene, l2u-chloro-A -3,ZO-diketo-l1B,2l-dihydroxy-pregnene, and the like. When this 12u-h-alo- A -3,20-diketo-1LB-hydroxy-Zl-acyloxy-pregnene is reacted with chromium trioxide in acetic acid it is converted to the corresponding 12oc-halo-A -3,11,20-triketo- 2l-acyloxy-pregnene, as for example l2u-fluoro-A -3,ll, 20-triketo-2l-(lov/er alkanoyloxy)-pregnene, IZu-fluoro- A -3 ,1 1,20-triketo-2 l-acetoxy-pregnene, 12a-fluoro-A -3, 1l,20-triketo-2l-propionoxy-pregnene, l2a-chloro-A -3, 11,20-triketo-21-(lower alkanoyloxy)-pregnene, l2u-chloro-A -3,11,20-triketo-2l-acetoxy-pregnene, and the like; these 120: halo-A -3,1l,20-triketo-2l-acyloxy-pregnenes are readily hydrolyzed by methanolic potassium hydroxide to form 12u-halo-A -3,l1,20-triketo-21-hydroxypregnenes such as 12a-fluoro-A -,3,l1,20-triketo-21-hydroxy-pregnene, and 12a-chloro-A -3,l1,20-triketo-2lhydroxy-pregnene.

The A -dehydrogenation of the l2u-halo-A -3,20-diketol1,21-bis-oxygenated-pregnene [c.g. 12ahalo-Af -3,l1,20- triketo-Zl-(hydroxy or acyloxy)-pregnene or l2a-halo- A -3,20-diketo-1lB-hydroxy 21 (hydroxy or acyloxy)- pregnene] is conveniently effected by adding the steroid compound as a solid, or as a solution in a solvent as for example a dialkyl ketone such as acetone, a dialkylformamide such as dim'ethyl-formamide, and the like, under sterile conditions to a culture of the microorganism in a nutrient medium and agitating the resulting mixture thereby bringing about growth of the microorganism and dehydrogenation of the steroid compound. The steroid can be added at the time the nutrient medium is inoculated with the culture of Bacillus sphaericus microorganisms or, alternatively may be added to an established culture. it is ordinarily preferred to add the 12u-halo-A 3,20-diketo-1l,2l-bis-oxygenated-pregnene to a nutrient medium containing a 24-hour growth of Bacillus sphaericus microorganisms. The proportion of steroid compound which may be added to the medium varies depending upon the particular substrate being dehydrogenated, but it is ordinarily preferred to employ a concentration of about 0.005% to 0.2% of steroid, although higher or lower concentrations may be employed, if desired. The culture containing the l2a-halo-A -3,ZO-diketo-l1,21-bisoxygenated-pregnene is then incubated, preferably with agitation and aeration for an additional period of approximately 24 hours.

source, inorganic salts and growth factors when required. The carbon can be provided by compounds such as acetates, lactates, andthe like. Carbohydrates are poorly utilized by Bacillus sphaericus and may be included in the medium or omitted without seriously affecting the steroid dehydrogenation. The nitrogen can be provided 'by an ammonium salt, amino acids, or proteins such as soy beans, oats, yeast, yeast extracts, tryptic digest of casein, meat extract, blood meal, protein meat and bone scrap, salmon meal, fish meals, fish solubles, distillers solubles, and the like. If desired, the Bacillus sphaericus microorganisms can be propagated using proteins (or amino acids) without any carbohydrate being present in the medium, in which case the proteins or amino acids serve as the source of both the carbon and nitrogen required by the microorganisms.

, Irrespective of whether the starting material employed in this microbiological dehydrogenation reaction is a l2fa-ha1o-A -3,20-diketo-.1l-oxygenated-Zl-hydroxy pregnene or a 21-ester thereof, the product obtained is the corresponding l2a-halo-A -3,20 diketo-1l-oxygenated- 2l-hydroxy-pregnadiene since any Ill-ester grouping which may be present is hydrolyzed during the dehydrogenation reaction. After completion of the dehydrogenation process, the product is conveniently recovered from the fermented broth by extraction with a water-immiscible solvent as for example a chlorinated hydrocarbon such as chloroform, a ketone such as methyl isobutyl ketone, an alkyl alkanoate such as ethyl acetate, and the like. The extract of n -dehydrogenated steroid product and any unreacted starting material which may be present is conveniently purified by chromatog raphy using silica gel, activated alumina, and the like or, if desired by means of descending paper chromatograms. After separation of the dehydrogenated product from unreacted starting material, the product can be purified further, if desired by recrystallization from a solvent such as ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate-petroleum ether, and the like.

In accordance with this microbiological dehydrogenation method, there are obtained l2u-halo-A -3,20-diketo- 11-oxygenated-2l-hydroxy-pregnadienes as, for example, 12a-halo-A -3,20-diketo-1118,21-dihydroxy pregnadienes such as 12a-fiuoro-A -3,ZO-diketo-l1;8,21-dihydroxy-pregnadiene, 12a-chloro-A -3,ZO-diketo-113,21 dihydroxypregnadiene, 12u-halo-A -3,11,20-triketo 21 hydroxypregnadienes such as 12a-fiuoro-A -3J1,20-triketo-21- hydroxy-pregnadiene, 12a-chloro-A -3,11,20-triketo-2lhydroxy-pregnadiene, and the like. These 21-free alcohols can be converted to the corresponding 21-esters by reaction with an acylating agent e.g., a lower alkanoic anhydride such as acetic anhydride, and the like thereby forming the 1Zu-haIo-A -3,2O-diketo-1l-oxygenated-2l-acyloxy-pregnadienes as, for example, 12u-halo- A -3,2O-diketo-1lfi-hydroxy 21 acyloxy-pregnadiene, 12a-halo-A -3,20-diketo-1lfi-hydroxy 21-( lower alkanoyloxy)-pregnadiene, 12u-fluoro-A -3,ZO-diketo-llp-hydroxy-Zl-(lower alkanoyloxy)-pregnadiene, IZm-flllOl'O- A -3,20-diketo-llfi-hydroxy 21 acetoxy-pregnadiene, 1Zu-fluoro-A -3,20-diketo-l 1B hydroxy-21-propionoxypregnadiene, 12a-fiuoro-A -3,20-diketo-11,3-hydroxy-2lbenzoxy-pregnadiene, 12a-chloro-A -3,ZO-diketo-1I i-hydroxy-21-(lower alkanoyloxy)-pregnadiene, 12a-chloro- A -3,20-diketo-1lfl-hydroxy-Zl-acetoxy-pregnadiene, 12ahalo-A -3,11,20-triketo-21 acyloxy pregnadiene, 12cchalo-A -3,11,20-triketo-21-(lower alkanoyloxy pregnadiene, 12a-fluoro-A -3,11,20-triketo-21-(lower alkanoyloxy) -pregnadiene, 12a-fiu'oro-A -3 ,1 1,20-triketo-21-acetoxy-pregnadiene, l2afiuoro-A -3,1 1,2O triketo 21-propionoxy-pregnadiene, 12a-fluoro-A -3,l1,20-triketo- 21- benzoxy-pregnadiene, 12a-chloro-A -3J1,2O-triketo-21- (lower alkanoyloxy) -pregnadiene, 12a-ch1oro-A -3,ll,20- triketo-Zl-acetoxy-pregnadiene, and'the like.

The following examples illustrate methods of carrying out the present invention, but it is to be understood that these examples are given for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

Example 1 Fifty milliliters of a nutrient medium are prepared hav' ing the following composition:

This medium is adjusted to pH 6.5 with KOH, sterilized and inoculated with about 2.5 to 5 ml. of a culture of Bacillus sphaericus (MB 431) microorganisms, and the inoculated culture is then incubated at a temperature of 28 C., with agitation, for a 24-hour period. To the resuiting culture is added a solution containing 10 mg. of 12a-fluorocorticosterone acetate (12oa-fllJOl'0-A -3,20-diketo-llfi-hydroxy-Zl-acetoxy-pregnene) dissolved in 0.2 ml. of dimethylformamide. The culture containing the steroid compound is incubated, with agitation, for an additional period of about 24 hours at 28 C.

The fermentation broth is extracted with four 50 ml.- portions of ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extracts are combined and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. ual material is dissolved in acetone and treated with charcoal and diatomaceous earth to remove colored impurities. The decolorized acetone solution is then streaked on paper chromatograms which are developed using formamide as the stationary phase and chloroform as the mobile phase. The upper bands for each chromatogram, corresponding to the A' -dehydro derivative, are cut ofi, extracted with 1: ness in vacuo.

methanol, and the methanol-extracted material is again subjected to streak-paper chromatography. The upper band is again cut oil, thoroughly dried, extracted with methanol, and the methanol extract is evaporated to dry: The residual material is recrystallized from ethyl acetate-petroleum ether to give 12a-fluoro-A 3,20-diketo-1 118,21-dihydroxy-pregnadiene.

The 12a-fluoro-A -3,ZO-diketo-11,9,21-dihydroxy-pregnadiene'is acetylated with acetic acid anhydride and pyridine in the usual manner to give the 2l-acetyl derivative, which is purified by recrystallization from acetonepetroleum ether to give substantially pure 12m-fluoro-A 3,20-diketo 11,8-hydroxy-21 acetoxy pregnadiene; M.P.

rgg 'm' 12% 389; 1.531? 268 mu E% 487 polarity on paper chromatography slightly greater than 12a-fluorocorticosterone acetate.

Example 2 Fifty milliliters of a nutrient medium are prepared having the following composition:

Cerelose v 1 Edamin g l Cornstee'p liquor ml 0.25 Distilled water to make ml 50 solved in 0.2 ml. of dirnethylformamide. The culture containing the steroid compound is incubated, with agitation,

for an additional period of about 24 hours at 28- C.

The fermentation broth is extracted with four 50 m1.-

portions of ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extracts are combined and'evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is dissolved in acetone and treated with charcoal and diatomaceous earth to remove colored impunties. The decolorized-acetone solution is then streaked The residon paper chromatograms which are developed using formamide as the stationary phase and chloroform as the mobile phase. The upper bands for each chromatogram, corresponding to the A -dehydroderivative, are cut oti, extracted with methanol, and the methanol-extracted material is again subjected to streak-paper chromatography. The upper band is again cut olf, thoroughly dried, extracted with methanol, and the methanol extract is evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is recrystallized from ethyl acetate-petroleum ether to give 12a-fiuoro-A -3 ,1 1,20-triketo-2 1 -hydroxy-pregnadiene.

The 12a-fiuoroA -3,11,20-triketo-2l-hydroXy-pregnadiene is acetylated with acetic anhydride and pyridine in the usual manner to give the 21-acetyl derivative, which is purified by recrystallization from benzene-petroleum ether to give substantially pure 12a-fiuoro-A -3,l1,20- triketo-Zl-acetoxy-pregnadiene.

Example 3 The fermentation procedures of Examples 1 and 2 are repeated but using, in place of the Bacillus sphaericus (MB 431) microorganisms and the l2a-fiuoro-A 3,20-diketo (llfi-hydroxy and ll-keto)-21-acetoxy-pregnadiene starting materials employed in those examples, the microorganism strains and steroid starting compounds indicated in the table hereinbelow. The resulting fermentation broths were treated in accordance with the isolation methods described in Examples 1 and 2 to give, for the particular microorganism strain and steroid substrate used, the 12a-ha1o-A 3,ZO-diketo-l1-oxygenated- 21-hydroxy-pregnadiene indicated in the following table:

Various changes and modifications may be made in carrying out the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of the annexed claims, they are to be considered as part of this invention.

We claim:

1. A 12a-halo-A -3,ZO-diketo-l1fi,21-dihydroxy pregnadiene where the halo radical is selected from the group consisting of fluoro and chloro.

2. 12a-fluoro-A -3,ZO-diketo-113,21 dihydroxy pregnadiene.

3. 12a-chloro-A -3,20-diketo-1 15,21 dihydroxy pregnadiene.

4. A 12a-halo-A -3,ZO-diketo-1lfi-hydroxy-Zl (lower alkanoyloxy) pregnadiene where the halo radical is selected from the group consisting of fluoro and chloro.

5. 12a-fluoro-A -3,ZO-diketo-ll 3-hydroxy-21-acetoxypregnadiene.

6. A 12a-ha10-A -3,11,20-triket0-21-hydroxy pregnadiene where the halo radical is selected from the group consisting of fluoro and chloro.

7. 12a-fluoro-A -3,11,20-triketo-21 hydroxy pregna diene.

8. A 12a-halo-A -3J1,20-triketo-21-(lower alkanoyloxy) pregnadiene where the halo radical is selected from the group consisting of fluoro and chloro.

9. 12m-fluoro-A -3,11,20-triketo-21 acetoxy pregnadiene.

10. A compound represented by the formula:

CHjO R wherein R is selected from group consisting of keto and B,-hydroxy, X is selected from the group consisting of fluorine and chlorine and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydrocarbon carbonyloxy radicals.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,590,978 Kendall et a1 Apr. 1, 1952 2,736,734 Sarett Feb. 28, 1956 2,756,179 Fried July 24, 1956 

10. A COMPOUND REPRESENTED BY THE FORMULA: 